Hybrids

Chapter 3

Mila's POV

I finally get to go out on my own. It's not easy for us. Nyx works her hardest and ensures we've got food on the table. It can be a lot, but I can't help it. Moira demands more food than I ever expected to consume on my own. My hope is that I can repay this soon. I want to help her and take some of the load away. She has done so much for us. It can feel stifling, but I know she means well. Hopefully, this will change soon and we won't have to hide much longer.

I'm going to the library. I'm thankful that Nyx trusted me. I won't deny it though, it feels a little scary. We have already dealt with so much, although she has had it the worse. I keep a low gaze to try to keep a low profile. I also wear headphones. Nyx got them for me from a thrift store. They wobble a little over my ears but they get the job done, plus it reads as not wanting disturbances, so I won't get anyone trying to talk to me. Playing invisible is the goal.

I'm looking at books. I'll read anything that is interesting to me, but I'm also trying to look for anything that might relate to life, and genetics, anything that might help me understand anything about us. Suddenly, I hit the table and drop a few books.

-Crap!

I try to pick them up fast. I see another hand reach for one of the books on the floor. It was a man. He looked at me oddly, but I immediately looked away. I get up to grab my things and I notice that he is trying to start a conversation.

-Hi, are you from around here?

I hear him, but I act like I don't. He raises an eyebrow when I'm not responding to him. I can recognize this scent. Moira tells me he's a shifter, a wolf like me. I try to keep calm. He keeps trying to ask his questions but I cut him off saying that I'm in a rush and make my way to the checkout station. I can feel him staring from a distance. My heart is racing, I'm frightened but Moira is talking to me to calm me down. I can't help but to carefully look back. I make sure to look at any traits that can help me identify him if anything were to happen. He is tall and muscular, he doesn't look old, but he is not a teen like me. Maybe closer to Nyx in age. He has short brown hair that is longer at the top and brushed back, hazel eyes, and from what I can tell, a neck tattoo.

I wanted to run but Moira helped me keep my composure, that's the only way I could focus on details about him. I don't know what I'd do without her. I get the books checked out and make my way out. I decided to take a different route home just to be safe. I hope Nyx doesn't get scared. We're finally getting some stability and I would hate to start over again. I have to keep my composure. Just because I saw someone new, doesn't mean imminent danger. He would've attacked already, right? Besides, we know that other creatures live here.

I get home and I see Nyx is already there. She's getting the table with dinner for the two of us. She seems a bit concerned and I can understand why.

-You're a bit late for just going to the library

Her tone is flat. I don't even know how to start, but I have to be honest and tell her. I let her know what happened and why I was delayed. Her facial expression changed, there was a hint of fear. I made my concerns clear and let her know that, based on the interaction, I didn't think he posed a threat. Was I scared? Yes. But at this point, we live with a certain level of fear at all times and I feel drained. She looked puzzled. We've run so much that, at this point, I don't know where we could run to anymore. I begged her not to flee. If we notice any trouble, then we could go. I kept begging. She stayed quiet. The silence was stiffening. I just wanted one more chance. We both deserve a good life and this seems like a good place to do so. After a while, she reluctantly agreed. I know it's not easy for either of us. I don't want fear to be the one feeling we are constantly experiencing. I don't want to be or live as just a number. I want to live as Mila.